And john dudley



B. B. TREGOE AND J. D. CARROLL.

ELECTRIC TIME SWITCH FOR AUTO LIGHTS.

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gvvbe'niow J: D. Oarwall,

B. B. TREGOE AND J. D. CARROLL. .ELECTRIC TIME SWITCH FOR AUTO LIGHTS.

Patnted June 6, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INVENrO/ZS MTNEJSS, (ID. Carroll, F g! ,B.B.Tre 9oe,

Arrae/vsrs.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BENJAMIN BAIN BRIDGE TREGOE, OF EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, AND JOHN DUDLEYCARROLL, OF NEW YORK. N. Y., ASSIGNORS OF ONE-THIRD T SON, OF NEW YORK,N. Y.

JUSTIN HENDER- ELECTR-IC TIME SWITCH FOR- AUTO LIGHTS.

Application filed May 25.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

- Be it known that we, BENJAMIN BAIN- BRIDGE Tnnoon and JOHN DUDLEYCARROLL,

' useful Improvements in Electric Time Switches for Auto Lights, ofwhich the following is a specification.

In the operation of motor vehicles it frequently happens that the sameare left unattended for a period extending past nightfall, therebysubjectingthe owner or operator to a penalty for failure to display alight which is universally required by traffic regulations. i

The present invention provides, means which can be set and depended uponto display a light at the predetermined time, said means beingautomatically operable when .set, or adapted to be manuallyactuated atany time to admit of the light being displayed.

The invention depends upon a time piece, such as a clock, a circuitcloser adapted to be set to be actuated by the time piece to close acontrolling, circuit at the required time and effect a closing of thelighting circuit, a lighting circuit having a gap, and means forelectrically closing the gap and completing the lighting circuit, saidmeans being releasable by the time operated controlling circuit at thepredetermined time for which the mechanism is set. I

For a full understandingof the invent-ion and the merits thereof,reference is to be had to the following description and the drawingshereto attached, which illustrate an embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings Figure 1 is a front view of a'mechanismembodying the .invention.

Figure 2 is a section on the line 22 of Figure 1 looking in thedirection of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a sectional detail on the line 33 of Figure 1 looking to theright as designated by the arrows.

Figure 4 is a sectional detail on the line 4 4' of Figure 3.

Figmres 5, 6 and 7 are sectional details of Specification of LettersPatent. Patented J 6 1922 1920 Serial No. 384,124.

a portion of the plunger and parts cooperating therewith, Figure 7 beinga detail section on the line 77 of F i re 6.

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic view of the circults and parts cooperatingtherewith.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the followingdescription and indicated 1n the several views of the drawings by likereference characters.

The time piece is indicated generally by the numeral 1 and may be of anytype, and usually consists of a clock which is housed by the casingwhich encloses the cooperating parts. It is preferred to have the timepiece electrically insulated from the casin as indicated most clearly inFig1ire2. 'I he time P1606 embodies the usual dial and indicating hands2 and-3. The hand 2 designates the hours'and constitutes one terminal ofthe controlling circuit and is provided at or near its outer end with acontact 4. An indicator 5 consisting of a pointer or hand constitutesthe adjustable terminal of the controlling circuit, .and is carried by aring 6, which is adapted to be set to any required position. Theindicator 5 is provided with a contact 7 which is adapted to engage withthe contact 4 and close the controlling circuit. As shown most clearlyin Figure 1, the indicator 5 is provided in its length with a ring oropen portion 8, which is adapted to register with the dial indicationsof the time piece so as to expose the same and thereby facilitate thesetting of the cont-rolling circuit.

The housing or casing 9 enclosing the time piece and operating parts ofthe mechanism is preferably of metal and may be of any construction. Asindicated most clearly in Figure 1, the front of the housing or casingis made in two parts, which are separable on a diametrical line. Thering 6 is formed in its outer edge with an annular groove, whichreceives the edge portion of the front of the housing bordering upon theopening in which the ring 6 is fitted. By having the front of thehousing separable the ring 6 may be readily placed in position. The indicator or adjustable cont-act 5 is secured to the ring 6 in any way andis movable therewith. The ring projects some distance beond the face ofthe housing 9, and the proccting edge is milled to enable the hand toobtain a grip thereon when turning the ring to bring the indicator orcontact 5 to the required adjusted position.

A plunger 10 is mounted in the housing so as to receive a combinedrotary and longitudinal movement. One end of the plunger 10 projects aconvenient distance beyond the face of the housing and is provided witha button or other convenient finger piece to enable the hand to obtain afirm grip thereon when it is required to operate the plunger in a mannerhereinafter indicated. A suitable bracket 11 is disposed within thehousing 9, and the plunger 10 is mounted therein. A helical spring 12 ismounted upon the plunger 10 and is connected at one end to the plungerand at its opposite end to the bracket 11. The spring 12 is of thecontractile type and normally exerts a pressure to move the plunger 10inward. A notch 13 is formed in a side of the plunger 10 and decreasesin depth from a central point towards opposite ends, as indicated mostclearly in Figure 4. A. catch 14 cooperates with the plunger 10 to holdit projected against the action of the spring 12. The end of the catch14 is adapted to enter the notch 13. The catch 14 is mounted in thebracket 11 and is disposed above the plunger so as to operate bygravity. A light spring 15 cooperates with the catch 14 to insurepositive action thereof. Rotation of the plunger 10 will cause the catch14 to ride out of the notch 13, so that the plunger '10 may move inwardunder the action of the spring 12. A pin 16 projects laterally from theplunger 10 and cooperates with a guide 17, which is secured to thebracket 11. The guide 17 preferably consists of a length of wire doubledupon itselfv to form a loop and is secured by one member of the loop tothe bracket 11, the end portionoi the opposite member of the loop beingcurved laterally and downwardly. as indicated at 18, to provideclearance and stop means for the pin 16 when the plunger 10 is rotatedto cause the catch 14.

to ride out .of the notch 13 whenit is desired to release the plunger toadmit of its inward movement. When the plunger 10 is rotated, the spring12 is tensioned so that when the plunger is drawn outward and released,the spring 12 regaining its normal position will return the plunger intoposition so that the pin 18 will cooperate with the guide 17 and holdthe plunger with the notch 13 u permost to be engaged by the catch 14.he' plunger 10 is provided at its inner end witha metal tip 19, which isadapted to serve as means for closing the gap of the li' hting circuit,as will be described more ully hereinafter. 'An electromagnet preferablyof the solenoid type is housed within the casing 9 and is disposed abovethe plunger 10, and its core is in cooperative relation with the catch14. The solenoid is indicated at 20 and is supported by means of thebracket 11. The core 21 of the solenoid is movable with the catch 14,the latter preferably forming a part thereof. As shown most clearly inFigure 3, the core of the solenoid comprises two sections, a movablesection 21 and a fixed section 22. These two sections are spaced apart adistance to admit of the end of the catch 14 clearing the notch 13,whereby to release the plunger to admit of its inward movement. Theinner end of the core section 21 is made conical, and the opposing endof the fixed section 22 is formed with a depression of correspondingshape. By having th solenoid disposed above the plunger 10, the combinedweight of the core 21 and catch 14 is sufiicientordinarily to cause theend of the catch 14 to enter the notch 13. However, the provision of thespring 15 insures positive action of the core and catch.

Two, terminal contacts are disposed within the housing and are indicatedby the numerals 23 and 24. These contacts form closing means for anelectric time-controlled circuit. A spring 25 secured at one end to thehousing 9 is provided at its free end with the contact 24. The spring 25and the fixed contact 23 are electrically insulated from the housing andeach other. A pressure element 26 carried by the plunger 10 is adaptedto engage the spring 25 and compress the same so as to bring thecontacts 24 and 23 into engagement. thereby closing the time-controlledcircuit at thispoint. The winding of the solenoid 20 is included in thetime-controlled circuit, as shown most clearly in the diagrammatic view,Figure 8. A lead wire 27 connects the spring 25 with one pole of abattery B, or other source of supply of electricity, the other pole ofthe battery being grounded at 28. A wire 29 connects the contact 23 withone end of the helix of the solenoid. A wire 30 connects the other endof the windin of the solenoid with the hour hand 2. %he indicator oradjustable contact 5 being in electrical connection with the ring 6, andthe latter being electrically connected with the front or face plate ofthe housing 9 is grounded by wire 31 at 32. \Vhen the plunger 10 isdrawn outward against the tension of the spring 12 andis held projectedby the catch 14, the contacts 23 and 24 are in engagement, therebyclosing the timecontrolled circuit at this point. However, the circuitis open when the contacts 4 and 7 are not in engagement, and is notclosed by .the time piece until the hour hand 2 and 'so1enoid20 isenergized and attracts its core.

21, thereby withdrawing the catch 14 from engagement with the plunger10. and the latter being released from all restraining influence ismoved inward by the tension of the spring 12 and closes the lightingcircuit.

Referrlng to the diagrammatic view, Figure 8, the several lights of themotor vehicle are designated by the letter L, and are included in theusual circuits which are controllable by means of a switch S. Thelighting .circuit is grounded at 33. The lighting circuit comprises twocontacts 34, which-are spaced apart, the gap thus formed being adaptedto be closedby means of the element 19 when the plunger 10 is movedinward. The lightingcircuit is shown as including the battery B, orother source of current supply, and is grounded at 33 and 28. Theseveral lights included in the lighting circuit are controllable by theswitch S in a manner well understood. When the lighting circuit isinterrupted at 34 no one of the lamps may be lighted. However, when thecircuit is closed at 34 by means of the element 19, any one or all ofthe lamps may be lighted by proper manipula tion of the switch S in theusual way.

It is proposed to construct the device illustrated mor particularly inFigure 1 in such a way that "it may be applied to the usual instrumentor control board of a motor vehicle, the several parts being included incircuits, as illustrated in the diagrammatic view. When the lights ofthe vehicle are brought into action in the usual way, the plunger 10 isreleased from the restraining influence of the catch 13 and moved inwardso as to cause the circuit closing element 19 to bridge and close thegap formed by the spaced contacts 34. The several lights may be broughtinto operation by manipulation of the push buttons comprising the switchS in a manner well understood. However. when the vehicle is to be leftunattended until after nightfall and it is required to light the lampsat a given time, the plunger 10 is drawn outward and held in itswithdrawn position by the catch 14 entering the notch 13. This closesthe time-controlled circuit at 23 and 24. The lighting circuit is brokenat 34, and theswitch 8- may be operated to close the circuit of thedesired lamp or lamps to be lighted at the desired time. The ring 6 isadjusted to bring the indicating contact 5 opposite the hour orapproximate time on the dial of the time piece at which it is desired tohave the light displayed. When the hour hand 2 of the time piece reachesthe time set, the contacts 4 and 7 are brought into engagement, therebycompleting the time-controlled circuit and energizing the solenoid 20with the result that its core 21 is attracted and disengages the catch14 from the plunger 10, and the latter being released is automatitheaction of the cuit by bridging the gap formed between the contacts 34.Simultaneously with the inward movement of the plunger 10 and theclosing of the lighting circuit, th timecontrolled circuit is broken byreason of the spring 25 being released from the pres sure of the element26.

It will be understood that the invention provldes a comparatively simplemechanism, which is positive in operation and which may be set anddepended upon to operate at the predetermined time, so that a motorvehicle may be left unattended and at the required time will be providedwith a light without any especial care on the part of the owner oroperator, other than to properly set the circuit closer when the machineis left unattended.

It is observed that the time piece as a whole is not included in thecircuit in the sens to form part of the conductor, since it is insulatedfrom the housing or casing. As a result the driving and control springsare not liable to become magnetized and interfere'with the accurate andproper working of the mechanism. The circuit when established is throughthe hour hand and is momentary only as it is broken at 23 and i 24 theinstant the spring 25 is released from the pressure normally exertedthereon by the element 26.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent. is:

1. In combination, an electric circuit, a i

circuit controlling Ineansincluding a manually operable switch normallyurged towards one of its limits, electrically actuated restraining meansco-acting with the switch to hold it at its opposite limit. and a timecontrolled circuit for the electrically actuated restraining means, theswitch capable of being manually manipulated to release it from therestraining means.

2. In combination, an electriccircuit, circuit controlling meansincluding a rotative and longitudinally movable switch, means normallytending to urge-the switch towards one limit of one of its movements,electrically actuated restraining means coacting with the switch to holdit at its opposite limit, a time controlled circuit for said restrainingmeans, the switch member capable of being manually manipulated torelease it from the restraining means.

3. In combination, an electric'circuit. circuit controlling meanstherefor including a longitudinally movable and rotatable switch, springmeans normally tending to move the switch longitudinally toward one ofits limits, electrically actuated restraining means coacting with theswitch to hold it retracted against the spring means, and a timecontrolled circuit controlling the restraining means, the switch capableof being manually rotated to release it from the restraining means andpermit the spring to move it to its opposite longitudinal limit.

4. In combination an electric circuit, circuit closing means thereforincluding a member mounted to receive a rotative and a longitudinalmovement restraining means having cam connection with the said memberand automatically releasable therefrom upon imparting rotary movement tothe said member, and independent means for automatically releasin therestraining means at a predetermined time.

5. In combination an electric circuit, circuit closingmeans thereforincluding a member mounted to receive a rotative and a longitudinalmovement restraining means having cam connection with the said memher,and guide means normally holding the said cam connection in cooperativerelation and adapted to be thrown out of action when manipulatin themember to bring the said cam connection into play to effect automaticrelease of the restraining means.

6. In combination an electric circuit, circuit closing means thereforincluding a manually operable member normally urged into closed positionand having a lateral incline in its length and restraining meansnormally holding said member in open position and normally in contactwith said lateral incline and automatically releasable thereby uponimparting rotary movement to said member to permit of its automaticclosin of the circuit.

In a system of the character specified, a circuit closing controllingmember having a notch in a side thereof and mounted to receive alongitudinal and a rotary movement, a rest-raining element adapted toengage the notch in the side of the circuit closing controlling member,a guide, and an element projecting from the circuit closing controllingmember and cooperating with said guide, the latter having a side portiondeflected to admit of rotary movementof the said circuit closingcontrolling member.

8. In combination, an electric circuit ineluding two gaps, a switchcommon to the two gaps, either gap being open when the other 1s closed,spring means normally urging the switch into'one of its limits with oneof the gaps closed thereby, electrically actuated restraining meansco-acting with the switch to hold it at one limit against the tension ofthe spring means, a time controlled circuit for releasing therestraining means, the switch also capable of being nian uallymanipulated to release it fromthe restraining means.

9. In combination, a work circuit having a gap, a time controlledcircuit having one end grounded and its other end connected to the workcircuit, said time controlled circuit having a gap therein, a switchmember common to the two gaps, either gap being open when the other isclosed, spring means vieldably urging the switch member towards one ofits limits, an electrically actuated restraining means included in thetime controlled circuit and co-acting with the switch to hold the latterretracted against the spring means, said switch capable of beingmanually actuated to release it from the restraining means and to permitthe spring means to move the switch to its opposite limit.

10. In combination,a work circuit grounded at opposite ends and havingsub-circuits including lamps and switches therefor. said work circuitalso having a gap, a time controlled circuit leading from one side ofthe gap and grounded at its opposite end, said time controlled circuithaving a gap, a switch common to the two gaps, either gap being openwhen the other is closed, spring means normally urging the switchtowards one of its limits, and electrically actuated restraining meansincluded in the time controlled circuit and co-acting with the switch tohold the latter retracted against the spring, the switch capable ofbeing manually moved to release it from the restraining means and topermit the spring to move the switch to one of its limits.

BENJAMIN BAINBRIDGE TREGOE. JOHN DUDLEY CARROLL.

